The Emergence of a Common EU Policy on Migrant Integration

Abstract

In this chapter we chart the emergence of a set of common priorities and norms in the area of immigrant integration policy at EU level. What are the focal points of this emerging EU policy of immigrant integration? In the opening section, we consider the scope of EU policies on immigrant integration, distinguishing between hard and soft law in the area. The EU institutions have issued a number of important and binding directives which have indirect implications for integration policies in member states. The core of the chapter, however, deals with soft law measures and instruments in the area of immigrant integration. The Common Basic Principles of Integration provide a useful starting point for sketching out determinate norms of integration in currency at EU level. Although many of the norms expressed in the Common Basic Principles are seen to be vague, indeterminate norms around which there is little consensus, there is evidence to suggest that what we will label a ‘civic integration’ norm and a ‘political integration’ norm are at a more developed stage, both in terms of their articulation and the level of consensus around these norms at EU level. Given their status as determinate norms, we choose to focus on these two norms and develop indicators which can be used to measure domestic adherence to these emerging EU norms.